PDF United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity by Trillia J. Newbell in History

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Big Title!By Deryk D. HayesUnited we stand and; well; you've heard it over and over time and time again; united we stand divided; we fall. I don't believe this is just some cliche that has been passed down from generation to generation; I believe that it is a truth. In fact it's a truth that we find in our public and; some private school systems; it's a truth that we find all week long in the work place. Yet; it is a truth that we tend to conveniently ignore so well on Sunday mornings.For the last ten weeks I've dropped my mother off at the church that I'm most familiar with; most comfortable with. After all; 34 years of my life has been spent at this church. I met my best friends there in the nursery; I was baptized there; met and married my wife there; preached my very first sermon there; first served in full time ministry there; witnessed my oldest daughter baptized there but the last ten weeks I've dropped my mother off; walked her through the front door; turned back around; got into my car; drove my family and I five minutes into what is considered "downtown Rockford" and I engage in corporate worship with my brothers and sisters at the Morning Star Church who don't look like me; walk like me; talk like me; dress like me; and often don't clap on the same beat as me (in some instances as one another; j/k our clapping on the 1/2 beat is coming right along). The elders and leadership of this church graciously extended to me an invitation to serve as a pastoral intern for four months. So here I am in the most uncomfortable place I've ever been in and it happens to be among the people of God. For whatever reason; we love one another and although uncomfortable at times week after week God my convictions concerning diversity is deepening in the Gospel!So Trillia writes this book and it must be God's timing! I'm reading this joint (joint as in this book) and I'm like yo; this sista is on point. Now let me take a few steps back for just a minute. The first time I had read anything from Trillia it was the most brilliant protest with a pen that had ever been written about foolishness that plagues my community. Long story short; there was going to be a series aired on national television about this hip-hop artist who had fathered a number of different children out of wedlock by a number of different young ladies. It was foolish. But; after Trillia's article I was an instant fan of her writing. As big as that title was for me; UNITED is so much bigger. So much more needed.There are some titles that you hold dear to you for different reasons and different seasons in your life. As I move forward; seeking God's will for my life; I have this developing desire to lead as a preaching and teaching under shepherd along with a diverse plurality of under shepherds and one of the tools that I now have to take with me along this journey is this big title...... UNITED CAPTURED BY GOD'S VISION FOR DIVERSITY!Thank you Trillia for this much needed bookEmbracing God's Grace;Deryk D. Hayes0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A beautiful picture of God's plan for diversityBy Courtney ReissigThe subject of race has been a polarizing topic in our country for longer than any of us have been alive. In many ways; the lasting effects of the racism that divided us are still entrenched in many communities. If we move into the church; we find that even among God’s people; diversity and freedom from race division is still a longed for reality.How should God’s people think about diversity in light of our history and his word? What does diversity in relationships look like? How does the fact that we bear God’s image play into our thinking about diversity and race?Trillia Newbell enters this conversation with grace; conviction; and passion. Through her own story of longing for diversity; worshipping as a minority in her own local church; and subsequently finding diversity through two dear friends; she shows us God’s plan for making a people for himself from every tribe; tongue; and nation. It truly is a beautiful sight to behold.Newbell speaks not only to subject of race; but very real issues in our own hearts as we think through relationships with people who are different than us. As a chronic man-fearer; I was convicted and encouraged to not look to myself in situations of fear and self-awareness; but to look to the God who secures my identity in Christ. Through her personal story of diverse friendships; she shows us that God’s plan for diversity often comes to us through relationship. It is in community with other believers that we grow in Christ but also grow in our understanding of how uniquely different we all are. It is easy to gravitate towards the people who are like us and pull away from the ones who are different; even if they share our skin color. But Trillia shows us that because of our standing as image bearers of God; and now his children through Christ; we have more in common than we tend to realize.United is a refreshing read for anyone who longs to see the biblical promise fulfilled that God is securing a people for himself from every tribe and tongue. I know I do. Which is why reading United ignited my passion once again not only for diversity; but to see God’s name declared throughout the world.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good book on a crucial topic.By Jeremy ScottTrillia Newbell shares her story in this book. She shares her background; her path to embracing diversity; and how diversity has become a large part of her theological framework. Reading her thoughts on diversity and the church proved to be thought provoking and engaging.What was particularly refreshing for me to read was her view of the church and the importance of diversity within the church. She is clearly biblically grounded in her understanding of what the church should be like. The church should be comprised of diversity and unity. Newbell makes this point very clear in her book and she skillfully shows how those two concepts are completely compatible.This is a good book. If thinking about diversity from a theological perspective is a new venture for you; this book will be of great help as you begin that important journey. And if you have been thinking about racial (or ethnic) diversity within the context of the local church for a long time now; this book will give you a new perspective from which to think through the issues.